Officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are reminding residents in areas that may be impacted by Tropical Storm Lee that fish kills may occur as a result of the storm. Residents who encounter a fish kill are encouraged to call 1-800-442-2511 immediately to report this fish kill.
Large amounts of rainfall across Southern Louisiana may cause fish kills, particularly in the Lake Verret Complex, Lake Fausse Point or other natural waterbodies surrounded by lands converted from forests to agricultural land. High levels of rainfall may erode organic matter, carrying it into bayous and canals connected to lakes. Organic matter may consume high amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water "suffocating" aquatic life.
Fish kills may also be caused by the rapid mixing of stratified waters or layers of warm oxygenated water over cooler anoxic water. In some instances, the result will be that the water can no longer support underwater life.
In the past, tropical storms have caused fish kills in these types of waterbodies. Localized fish kills may also occur in the Atchafalaya Basin.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
Media Contact
Olivia Watkins (225) 610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov.
